Tenders called for Woolgoolga to Glenugie highway upgrade

22 August 2014

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development and NSW Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay announced today tenders were invited to build the first 26-kilometre section between Woolgoolga and Glenugie on the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said detailed design work was completed for this section last year.

“The section starts about six kilometres north of Woolgoolga and ends about 15 kilometres south of Grafton,” Mr Truss said.

“This stretch of highway is part of the larger 155 kilometre Woolgoolga to Ballina project, which is expected to provide about 2,500 direct jobs and 6,500 indirect jobs in the wider community.

Minister Gay said the Australian and New South Wales governments were jointly funding early works and planning.”

“Industry leaders attended a briefing on Wednesday 6 August to discuss an innovative delivery model which will partner business with government to deliver the Woolgoolga to Ballina section,” Minister Gay said.

“The delivery partner will have design, building and management expertise and oversee the project in collaboration with Roads and Maritime Services.”

Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker said the delivery partner model offered better value for money.

“It will also drive project efficiencies and help ensure we meet our goal of completing the duplication of the Pacific Highway by 2020,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

NSW member for Clarence Chris Gulatpis said: “60 per cent of the final highway length was already four-lane divided road between Hexham and the Queensland border.”

NSW member for Ballina Don Page said: “Work is under way on 64 kilometres of the highway and a further 57 kilometres is being prepared for work later this year.”